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Topic Review (Newest First)

10-12-2012 07:41 PM

Waltthesalt

Re: My new toy.

learning to sail on a dinghy is the best way to understand and get a feel for a boat. I'd recommend a sailing course. Things will get more complicated with a jib. They will also go over righting the boat. Casting off the main sheet and standing on the centerboard is the normal way. I think you boat is small for an outboard and it would be expensive if it gets immersed. You could carry oars and have oarlocks if you need to go a distance. That would take up space and as commented paddles are the norm. A rope sling should get you aboard. I've seen a fabric stirrup you can attach to a rope to make that more convenient. Good luck.

10-12-2012 05:39 PM

gnusailor

Re: My new toy.

I think that was one of the destractions that tipped me over.... besides worrying about hitting another boat.... some peeps have no sence of humor!
I was going to be approaching the dock "downwind" and couldn't find the brake!!!

10-10-2012 07:09 AM

SchwarckT

Re: My new toy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gnusailor

My first sailboat!

I had been thinking about putting a small outboard on, and was initially thinking an electric trolling motor might be ok, but have now rulled that out.... somehow a 70lb battery in the water does not sound too good. I am now looking to a 2.5/3.5 motor < 60lbs. Will this make the boat a bit more unstable? If I had had one, I would have dropped the sails earlier and gone back under power. I also assume that if I had a motor and capsized, I would have needed to do a bunch of mainenance to get the motor running again...??? Yes??? no???

any help is appreciated...

I find it easier to approach the dock with the jib up and the main furled. Do it routinely in my 15' boat.

10-09-2012 11:44 AM

gnusailor

Re: My new toy.

Yeah, I know.... That is what got me into this mess... . We (my wife and I ) started going to San Diego a few years back... taking the grandkids to WAP and SeaWorld, etc.... My wife wanted to go whale watching so we did one of those Hornblower things... We both love the maritime museum, especially the STAR... so we joined and have supported it for a while. One year, I gave her (wife) a two day whale watch, once on the Californian and once on the America... yup... that did it for me.

Sometime soon, when I have a bit more experience (and money), I plan on taking a few days and do a Sailing School. If i am still able, I will get a +22ft'r with a cabin and float around So-Cal... or not.... whatever comes, I will enjoy!

10-09-2012 11:34 AM

ccriders

Re: My new toy.

Remember, there is always the coast. It's only about 10-12 hours away. 68 degree water is pretty cold for us, but we do commonly have 20 mph winds. The difference is they come mainly from one direction, which means more chop to deal with.
Elephant Butte can be a cold lonely place in the winter.
When I say coast, there is Baja, SoCal and the Gulf of M, all within a days drive.
Have a good winter. heheheh.

10-09-2012 11:12 AM

gnusailor

Re: My new toy.

WOW Thanks, cc ... can't remember the last time I was called "... still young...". In fact my GROWN-WITH-THEIR-OWN-LIVES kids sometimes refer to me as the "old fart" (Hrrrumph, how disrespectful! D . As far as the winds are concerned, I am not too anxious... wind and water do not bother me (unless it's 15-20+) so, if I get dunked again, and I am sure I will... so be it.

What bothers me are the stationary object I am approaching rapidly... I think that is what distracted me from doing what I knew to do but didnt remember at the time. But now I have that jewel... experience, be it all so small at this point. Another thing that bothers me is the combinations of wind, water and temperature. We are approaching the time of the year here, that the highs will not be much above the 60s and the lows will be in the twenties. Getting wet then will be a whole lot less inviting. I don't know what the fall/winter at EB is like, and it is 3 1/2 - 4 hours away, so it'll be a less frequent than I would like. .

Alas that is what is for me until I become fully re-treaded... errr retarded.... errrr.... retired! (Whichever is appropriate at the time!)

10-09-2012 10:09 AM

ccriders

Re: My new toy.

When you can sail those desert lakes without capsizing a dinghy, then you can sail most anywhere. Sometimes, especially in the spring, the wind can come at you in two different directions all at once. And the gusts, especially in Elephant Butte can be tremendous requiring instantaneous reaction to keep from dumping.
Be happy you are still young while learning these techniques. The sensory inputs you learn now will be with you forever. It took me a long lime to relax during gusts when I started sailing a keel boat as I was always over reacting and not letting the boat take care of itself and sail on.

10-09-2012 09:29 AM

gnusailor

Re: My new toy.

I live out in the desert sea... new mexico. I have gotten seveal posts of peeps nearby. With the weather turning south for the winter, I'll most likely cover and park my boat til spring. swimming in small lake water when it is below freezeing doesnt seem too much fun. I hope to catch a ride with some of the people who sail Elephant Butte this winter and gain some more experience... we'll have to see.

I have visited the Mutt site and have gotten some good info there.

10-09-2012 07:37 AM

jephotog

Re: My new toy.

Sounds like a good time, welcome to the addiction.

As someone said keep your hand on the mainsheet. When sailing in gusty conditions keep the mainsheet uncleated and ease in a gust. In a gust you can ease the mainsheet a foot or two and head up a little (point the bow into the wind), this is done by pushing the tiller away from you.

You can do this in small doses just enough to stay upright. In a big puff, you shove the tiller away from you and dump the main sail (let it all the way out). As you get more experience you will find out the difference using this technique to accelerate in puffs and when you need to dump the main and shove the tiller over hard.

Where do you live? I bet there is another sailor nearby that would go out with you or take you out on their boat to help you learn. Check out the Mutineer site for rigging suggestions. http://www.mutineer15.org/index.html

10-08-2012 11:44 PM

CalebD

Re: My new toy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SHNOOL

...

Ok, this is a tough, one, and one I never was good at... when you feel the boat going over, climb over the high side, if your timing is good, you can get right out onto the centerboard, before she goes completely over. REALLY good timing, and you can drop over the side, bounce off the centerboard, and back into the boat... I've been known to release mainsheet, and body slam the high side of a boat to flatten it, but then I'm so big, I usually outweigh the hull of these smaller dinghies. This fat man can jump (if he's avoiding swimming). I got tired of sailing like that, so I moved up to a keel boat.

Dinghy sailing can be a blast, but it's also a harsh teacher.. with a couple "tricks," you'll be pushing it JUST to get wet. By the way, life jacket for you until you get a few more miles under your belt, um, K? Also good idea to keep the wife and or Significant other away from the boat until you get a better handle on things, no need to turn her off to sailing (just yet).

You have the right attitude! Keep us posted on your progress.

I've actually done this trick with climbing over to the center board and back to the cockpit on a Sunfish. Can't do it so easily today but...

Great advice and post from the SHNOOL. You are likely to keep capsizing until you get better at controlling the boat so a life jacket is a good call.

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